THE Philippine National Police (PNP) gave assurance it is prepared for the expected mass demonstrations in conjunction with the commemoration of the 39th anniversary of EDSA People Power Revolution on February 25.
PNP spokesman Col. Randulf Tuaño said the PNP will deploy 8,000 policemen to maintain peace and order during the anniversary rites.
To mark the 39th anniversary of the bloodless 1986 EDSA People Power revolution, several schools and universities have announced class suspensions as more than 70 activist and civil society groups are set to hold a rally at the People Power Monument on the historic thoroughfare.
Earlier, the ‘Tama na,’ Bagong Alyansang Makabayan and other militant groups disclosed that they would hold a protest action to call for the ouster of Vice President Sara Duterte and hold President Marcos accountable for his alleged failures.
The protest rally also aims to underscore such issues as the national budget and its controversial allocations.
“We want to emphasize the true spirit of EDSA, the collective aspiration to call for change in society,” Tama Na convenor David San Juan said in a press conference on Monday.
Former senator Bam Aquino expressed unity with the commemorative celebrations of the EDSA uprising “which resulted in the freedom that Filipinos enjoy today.
The University of the Philippines (UP) System appealed for class and work suspensions on Feb. 25 to commemorate the anniversary of the EDSA revolt.
In a letter addressed to UP President Angelo Jimenez, various sectoral regents urged the administration to declare Feb. 25 as a non-working holiday in the university.
“We remember the crucial role UP has played in resistance against the tyrannical rule of Marcos Sr., from the First Quarter Storm and the Diliman Commune to the countless Martial Law martyrs our very own University has produced,” the manifesto read.
It also asserted that the request “comes at a time when threats to democracy remain seen today in the face of economic and social problems in the country.”
“Thirty-nine years has passed since the Filipino people have collectively toppled a dictator, yet we still see threats to our democracy today. In our commitment to honor and excellence in the service of the people, we must take a stand as a University,” the groups asserted.
Earlier, class suspensions were declared in other schools such as the University of Santo Tomas. De La Salle University is set to observe an “Alternative Learning Day”.
Other Catholic schools such as La Salle Greenhills and Saint Pedro Poveda College have announced their own class suspensions.
The EDSA People Power Revolution that ended the 20-year Marcos dictatorship took place on Feb. 22-25, 1986.